BTS’s Suga apologizes again for scooter DUI as he completes military duty

BTS member Suga / Courtesy of BigHit Music

BTS member Suga has issued a renewed apology for his 2024 electric scooter DUI incident, just as he completed his mandatory military service.

On Saturday, Suga posted a message to fans on the global fan platform Weverse. “I’m deeply sorry for the disappointment and concern caused by what happened last year,” he wrote. “It hurt me that I may have caused pain to fans, and I also feel sorry to the other members who must have carried heavy hearts in their own ways.”

In August 2024, Suga was summarily indicted and fined 15 million won ($10,800) after being caught operating an electric scooter under the influence of alcohol.

Having started his service in September 2023, Suga’s discharge marks the completion of military duty for all seven BTS members. It has been roughly two-and-a-half years since Jin, the eldest member, enlisted in December 2022.

BTS / Courtesy of BigHit Music

The full return of BTS has drawn attention from international media. The Associated Press reported under the headline “All 7 BTS members are now done with mandatory service,” adding that the global K-pop sensation plans to reunite as a group later this year. The BBC also covered the BTS anniversary festival, BTS Festa, held June 13 in Goyang, South Korea, highlighting the excitement of global fans on-site.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.